What is Life Like on the Corner of MoPac & 2222?

Yesterday, I preached my "Social Issue" sermon in Preaching 202. For this assignment, we were asked to prepare a sermon based on a social issue within a congregational context with which we were familiar.  I chose my church, Covenant, and its ministry to the homeless in Austin.  If you'd like, take a peek.  I will say this, there are some sweeping generalizations within the sermon, but I also think it hits on some of the fears and issues the church is facing with its ministry to the homeless sisters and brothers who live under the bridge across the street from our church.  Some of the examples I used were from a few years ago, when I was in Austin, so perhaps a few things have already begun to change.   (Disclaimer: I would probably not preach this exact sermon to the congregation at Covenant...perhaps I would approach it from this and a few different angles, perhaps in a sermon series.  Much of what I was processing here has to do with my own discomfort with the homeless situation and my role in it while I served there.) I love Covenant, and think it has some room to grow in it's ministry to the homeless...the reality is that there is a great deal of fear and ignorance, which leads to guilt for many.  I chose James 2:12-17 as my text, focusing on "faith without action is dead."  Click below to read the sermon, "What is Life Like on the Corner of MoPac and 2222."  Download sermon_iii.doc

Comments

[Mom]

Wow! Great and thought provoking sermon, Josh - good job and now let's see God's people work! Love you!

[Josh]

Thanks, Mom.

[Mary]

Thanks for sharing Josh! It's good to hear a bit about the homeless situation in Austin and hear a challenge to meet the physical needs before spiritual. I am posting my public issue sermon as well if you want to check it out...